Tenacious Beau's Town Wins Count Fleet

Heavy favorite Beau's Town and jockey Jamie Theriot grabbed the lead on the turn and held off Honor Me and Rodney Trader through the stretch for a half-length victory in Thursday's $150,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park.

The 5-year-old Arizona-bred chestnut son of Beau Genius won for the ninth time in 12 career outings, covering the six-furlong Count Fleet distance in 1:09. It was the third straight stakes win for the Cole Norman-trained Beau's Town.

Theriot had Beau's Town, who carried high weight of 122 pounds, well in hand early while tracking Cojet through opening fractions of :22 1/5 and :45 1/5. Beau's Town went to the lead at the quarter pole and was fully extended while repelling the outside pressure of Honor Me, with 116 pounds, through the lane. Sand Ridge and jockey Ken Shino finished four lengths farther behind, edging Chindi by a half-length for third.

Owned by Coast To Coast Racing Fund and David Hulkewicz, Beau's Town earned $90,000 for the victory.

Sent off at 2-5 in the field of six, the winner paid $2.80, $2.40 and $2.20. Honor Me returned $4.20 and $2.20. San Ridge's show price was $2.20. The $2 exacta was worth $12.20.

(Chart, Equibase)